Flash-light safety switch



April 18, 1933. F. G. STIMSON 1,903,947

FLASH LIGHT SAFETY SWITCH- Filed April 16, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet lPatented Apr. 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK G. STIMSON, orBELLEVTLLE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO BOND ELECTRIC CORPORATION, or JERSEYCI'TY, JERSEY, A CORPORATION or DELAWARE FLASH-LIGHT SAFETY swrrcnApplication filed April 16,1930. Serial No. 444,648.

The present invention relates to flash lamps and embodies, morespecifically, an improved switch mechanism by means of which the lampmay be illuminated steadily, flashed intermittently or'locked in an offposition.

More particularly, the invention embodies an improved switch mechanismwhich is sim" ple of construction and eflective in operation A toprevent the accidental illumination of the lamp and the consequentdischarge of the battery thereof. v The inadequate or acciden' tallighting of flash lamps is quite common since they are frequently thrownabout in tool kits, etc. and caused to engage projecting corners orextensions to cause the closing of the switches thereof. While forms ofswitches have been proposed to overcome this condition, those whichprovide for the positive locking of the switch parts in an off positionhave either been too costly to manufacture or have been ofsuchconstruction that the parts thereof easily become broken or inoperativeand in need of repair.

Other forms of. switches have been provided which hold the movableswitchelement yieldingly in its off position but this is not adequateunder all conditions. It frequently happens that such yielding force isovercome and the lamp is accidentally lighted, thus discharging thebattery and reducing the life thereof materially. I The presentinvention seeks to provide an improved switch mechanism by means ofwhich the flash lamp may be effectively locked in its off position andillumination thereof accomplished only after a positive mechanicaloperation; In this-manner, it is impossible to close the switchaccidentally and the lamp will thus remain unenergized until its lightis desired.

An object of the invention, accordingly, is to provide an improvedcontacting device for flash lamps by means of which the movable elementsare prevented from being accidentally actuated when'in their offposition.-

A further object of the invention is to provide a contacting device ofthe above character in which provision is made for steady illuminationof the lamp as well as intermittent flashing thereof, the switchelements being locked in an off position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a contacting mechanismof the above character, the parts of which are simple in constructionand readily assembled and operated.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent asthe invention is described in greater detail in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a View in section, taken in a plane passing through the axisof a flash lamp provided with a switch mechanism constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view showing the switch mechanism of this invention.

Figure 3 is a view in section, taken on line 33 of Figure 2, and lookingin the direction of the arrows, the switch mechanism being illustratedin the off position.

- Figure 4 is a view in section, similar to Figure 3, showing the switchmechanism moved to the flashing position.

Figure 5 is a view in section, similar to Figure 3, showing the switchmechanism moved to the steady illuminating position.

Figure 6 is a view in section, taken on line 66 of Figure 3, and lookingin the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a view in section, taken on line 77 of Figure 5, and lookingin the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a view in section, taken on line 8-8 of Figure 3, andlooking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a view in section, taken on line 99 of Figure 3, and lookingin the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the above drawings, a flash lamp tube is shown at 1,.havinga bottom cap 2 and a hood 3 and carrying a battery 4. The shell of thebattery is connected electrically with the bottom cap 2 throughcontacting device 5, and the central terminal 6 of the battery isconnected with the central terminal of an electric bulb 7 by means of aspring contacting member 8. The electrical circuit of the bulb iscompleted through a contact plate 9 which is supported upon an internalflanged member 10 mounted upon the top of the tube 1. Bottom contactstrip 11 is connected to the bottom cap 2 in the usual manner and topcontact strip 12 is connected to the conducting member 10, all of theforegoing structure, being of usual construction and forming no part ofthe present invention.

Mounted upon the side of the tube 1 is a contact box 13, formed withflanges 14 which conform to the surface of the tube 1 and are securedthereto by means of eyelets 15. The contact box is thus not part of theelectrical circuit, being insulated therefrom through the tube 1. Aperipheral rib 16 is 'formed upon the box 13 and serves protectionagainst accidental movement of the operating mechanism describedhereinafter. An aperture 17 is formed in the tube 1 within the contactbox 13 and an offset portion 18 is formed on the contact strip 12, theinsulation of such.

offset portion being removed as clearly shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5.The end of contact strip 12 is secured to the tube by means of an eyelet19 which extends within the contact box '13. The bottom contact strip 11is secured to the tube 1 by an eyelet 20 which extends within thecontact box 13. This eyelet serves as a switch terminal.

WVithin the recessed portion 21, formed by the rib 16, parallel slots 22are formed. These slots extend longitudinally of the tube 1 and receivethe mechanism to be described hereinafter. Spaced transverse slots 23and 24 are also formed in the surface 21 and an aperture 25 is providedforwardly of the transverse slot24 to receive a button 26 carried by aspring contact strip 27. This but ton is formed with a terminal 28which-is adapted to engage the oifset portion 18 of the contact strip 12to connect the topstri'p 12 with the contact strip 27. Eyelet 29 securesthe contactstrip to the tube 1 intermediate'the ends of the strip andspring por-' tion 30 normally urges the button 26 into the positionshown in Figures 3 and 4. The contact 27 is further-formed with a curvedportion 31 which serves as a camming surface and is adapted to be flexeddownwardly to engage the eyelet 20, as shown in Figure 4. In thismanner, contact strip 27 is connected to the bottom contact strip 11.

In order that the contact strip 2'? maybe suitably flexed, a slide 32 isprovlded and formed to resemble a hollow semi-discoid, the

parallel sides 33 thereofbeing formed with downwardly extending flanges34 to be received 'within the parallel slots 22. These flangesafterbeing placed within the slots 22 are turned over to slidably mountthe slide 32 within the recess 21. The forward extremity of slide 32 isformed with a curved cam member 35 which is adapted to engage with atransverse slot or passage 36 within which a notched lever 37 isfulcrumed. This gages transverse slots 23 and 24 when the slide is inthe proper position. A spring 41 normally urges the offset portion39'downwardly and thus causes the detent 40 to engage, yieldingly, thetransverse grooves 23 and 24. I

, Within the contact box 13, a camming strip 42 is provided, one endthereof being flanged at 43 to ride on the under surface of the recessedportion 21 as shown in Figures 4 and 5 and may, if. desired, abutagainst the end wall of contact box 13 to limit the sliding movement ofthe slide 32, as shown Figure' 3, although the slots 22 may be reliedupon to limit the rearward movement of the flanges 34 on the slide 32,if preferred. The strip is formed with a. camming surface 44 and anextension 45 for securing the same to the slide 32. This extension isformed with spaced notches 46 within which the flanges 34 are received.In this fashion, the cam strip 42 will be carried with the slide 32inits fore and aft movement.

The operation of the mechanism described above includes movement of thecontact strip 30 into three positions In itsofl position, as illustratedin Figure 3, the contact strip is notconnected with either the bottomstrip 11 or top strip 12. Depressing button 26, in this position, willnot energize the lamp and thus accidental illumination thereof iseffectively prevented. In such position, theslide 32 is in its extremerearward position as viewedin Figure 3 and detent 40 engages transverseslot 23. To effect the flashing of the lamp, 1ever'37 is depressed toraise detent 40 out of the slot and the slide 32 advanced into theposition shownin Figure 4, at which time, detent 40 engages transverseslot 24. During such movement, the camming surface 44 has engaged thecam strip 31 and moved it downwardly into engagementwith eyelet 20.

detent engages the slot 24 and thus locks the mechanism in thisposition. If the button 26 1 is now depressed, the terminal 28 engagesthe ofl'set portion 1801? the strip 12 and the lamp circuit is completedthrough bottom contact strip 11, eyelet 20, spring contactstrip30,terminal 28, oflset portion 18 and top contact strip 12. In thisfashion, momentary for intermittentilluminationof the lamp is providedfor. l j

To provide steady illumination of the lamp, the slide 32 'is adv ancedto the position shown in Figure 5, the cam 35 engaging button 26 anddepressing the same to cause terminal 2 8 to engage the ofisetportion'18 of the contact strip 12. During such movement the same strip44 rides over the curved portion 31 of contact strip and maintains it inengagement with the eyelet 20. The flanged extension 43 of the strip 42bears against the under surface of the recessed portion 21 of thecontact box and thus eflectively maintains the extension 31 in engagingposition. The contact lever 37 is maintained in its depressed positionsince the end of detent 40 engages upon and rides along the surface ofthe recess 21, maintaining the spring 41 in a compressed condition.

It will thus be seen that the switch is effectively locked in its offposition as well as its flashing position. Accidental operation thereofis effectively prevented and the parts are simple of construction andreadily assembled in operative position. In order to actuate the switch,a positive manual manipulation is required to overcome the lockingmechanism and advance the slide into the proper position. Depressing thebutton 26 when the slide is in its ofi position will not illumimate thelamp since the circuit is broken between the curved extension 31 and theeyelet 20, thus doubly insuring the mechanism against accidentalmanipulation.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to theaccompanying drawings, it is not to be limited, save as defined in theappended claims.

What is claimed is 1. A device of the character described comprising acontact box, a flexible contact strip mounted within the boxintermediate its ends, a button on one end ofthe strip extending throughthe box, a slide on the box, a cam on the slide to engage and depressthe but ton, means on the slide to depress the other end of the strip, aplurality of slots in the box under the slide, and a spring pressedlocking lever carried by the slide and extending therein to engage theslots.

2. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, aflexible contact strip mounted within the box intermediate its ends, abutton on one end of the strip extending through the box, a slide on thebox, a. cam on the slide to engage and depress thebutton, means on theslide to depress the other end of the strip, a plurality of slots in thebox under the slide, and a spring pressed locking lever carried by theslide and extending therein to engage the slots, said slots being so 0-.sitioned that the cam engages the button a ter 7 the slot engaging meanshas moved. away from the slots.

3. A device of the character described'comprising a contact box, aflexible contact strip mounted Within the box intermediate 7 its ends, abutton on one end of the strip extending through the box, a slide on thebox, a cam on the slide to engage and depress the button, a cam stripcarried by the slide within the box to depress the other end of thestrip, a plurality of slots in the box under the slide, and a springpressed locking lever carried by the slide and extending therein toengage the slots, said slots being so positioned that the lever engagesone slot to lock the slide in an off position, and engages another slotto lock the slide in such position that the cam strip engages thecooperating end of the contact strip to cause the latter to engage a.switch terminal.

4:. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, aflexible contact strip mounted within the box intermediate its ends, anend of the strip being accessible fromwithout the box, a slide on thebox, means on the slide to depress said end, means operated by the slideWithin the box to depress the other end of the strip, a plurality ofslots in the box under the slide, and a spring pressed locking levercarried by the slide and extending therein to engage the slots- 5. Adevice of the character described comprising a contact box, a flexiblecontact strip mounted within the box intermediate its ends, an end ofthe strip being accessible from without the box, a slide on the box,means on the slide to depress said accessible end, means operated by theslide within the box to depress the other end of the strip, a pluralityof slots in the box under the slide, and a spring pressed locking lever.carried by the slide and having slot engaging means extending therein toengage the slots, said slots being so positioned that said first namedmeans depresses the accessible end after the slot engaging means hasmoved away from the slots.

6. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, aflexible contact strip mounted within the box intermediate its ends, anend of the strip being accessible from without the box, a slide on thebox, means on the slide to depress said end, means operated by the slidewithin the box to depress the other end of the strip, a plurality ofslots in the box under the slide, and a spring pressed locking levercarried by the slide and extending therein to engage the slots, saidslots being so positioned that the lever engages one slot to lock theslide in an ofi position, and engages another slot to lock the slide insuch position that the cam strip engages the cooperating end of thecontact strip to cause the latter to engage a switch terminal.

7. A flashlight circuit closer comprising a contact box, a slide onthebox, means carried with the slide to effect a contact, at least one slotin the box and a spring pressed looking lever pivotally carried With theslide to engage a slot.

I 81A flashlight circuit closer comprising a contact box, a slide on thebox, means carried with the slide to efl'ect a contact, at least oneslot in the box and a locking lever extending longitudinally of theslide and pivotally carried with the slide to engage a slot,

9. A circuit closer comprising a contactbox, a hollow slide on the box,means within the box movable with the slide to effect a confact, atleast one slot in the box beneath the slide, and a spring pressedlocking lever within the slide to engage a slot and having an armextending therewithout for manual actuation.

10. A circuit closer comprising a contact box, a hollow slide on the boxformed at one end with an aperture, means within the box movable withthe slide to effect a contact, a

an edge of the aperture and adapted to engage the slot. I

11. A circuit closer comprising a contact box, a hollow slide on the boxformed at one end with an aperture, means within the box movable withthe slide to effect a contact, a plurality of slots'in the box beneaththe slide,

and aspringpressed locking lever adapted to turn about an edge of theaperture and adapted to selectively engage the slots.

'12. A device of the character described comprising a contact box,switch contacts within the box, an operating slide movable upon thecontact box and moving the contacts into operable position thereby, araised portion upon the slide, at least one slot in the box under theslide, and a locking lever carried by the slide within the raisedportion and engageable in a slot to lock the slide in position.

13. A device of the character described comprising. a contact box,switch contacts within the box, an operating slide moveable upon thecontact box and moving the contacts into operable position thereby, araised portion'upon the slide, at least one slot in the box under theslide, a locking lever carried by the slide within theraised portion andengageable inthe slot to lock the same in position, and a spring betweenthe lever and the inner wall of the raised portion pressing theleverinto contact with the box.

14. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, switchcontacts within the box, an operating slide movable upon the contact boxand moving the contacts into operable position thereby, a raised portionon the slide, at least one slot in the box under the slide, a lockinglever carried by the slide within the raised portion and engageable inthe slot to lock the same in position, and an extension of the leverprojecting through the slide.

15. A- device of the character described comprising a flashlightcasing,switch conportion on the slide, at least, one slotin the casing underthe raised portion, and a lockingv comprising. a flashlight casing,switch contacts carried thereby, van operating slide movable upon thecasing and moving the contacts into operable position thereby, a raisedportion on the slide, at least one slot in the casing under theraisedportion, a locking lever carried by the slide within the raised portionand engageable in a slot to lock the slide in position, and a springbetween the lever andtheinner wall of the raised portion pressing thelever into. contact with the casing. f v c 17 A device of the characterdescribed comprising a flashlight casing, switch contacts carriedthereby, an operating slide movable upon thecasing and moving thecontacts into operable position thereby, a raised portion on the slide,at leastone slot in the casing-under the raised'portion, a locking levercarried by the slide within the raised portion and engageable'in a slot.to look the slide in position, and an extension of the lever projectingthrough the slide.

18. A device of the character described comprising a casing, switchcontacts within the casing, an operating slide movable upon the casingand bringing the contacts into operable position thereby,'at least oneslot in the. casing adjacent the slide, the slide having apart spacedfrom the casing forming a relatively narrow opening, a locking leverengageable in aslot to lockthe slide in position, and a U-shaped bend inthe locking lever receiving the spaced portion ofthe slide to pivot thelever thereupon.

19. A device of the character described comprising a casing, switchcontacts within thecasing, an operating slide movable upon the casingand bringing the contacts into.

operable position thereby, at least one slot in the casing beneath theslide,-the slide having a raised portion, an opening in the raisedportion at the base thereof forming a relatively narrow opening betweenthe wall of the slide and the casing, a locking lever within the raisedportion andengageable in a slot to look the slide in position, and aU-shaped V bend in the locking lever receiving the wall of the raisedportion of the slide at the opening to givot the'lever thereupon. r

20. device of the character described comprising a casing, a contact boxon the cas-' ing, switch contacts within the contact box, an operatingslide movable upon. the contact box and bringing the contacts intooperable position thereby, at least one slot in the contact box adjacenttheslide, the slide having a raised portion, an opening in the raisedportion at the base thereof forming a rel a-tively narrow openingbetween the wall of the raised portion and the contact box, a lockinglever within the raised portion and engageable in a slot to lock theslide in posi- 5 tion, and a U-shaped bend in the locking leverreceiving the wall of the raised portion of the slide at the opening topivot the lever thereupon.

21. A device of the character described comprising a casing, a contactboxon the casing, switch contacts within the contact box, an operatingslide movable upon the contact box and bringing the contacts intooperable position thereby, at least one slot in the 1 contact boxadjacent the slide, the slide having a raised portion, an opening in theraised portion at the base thereof forming a relatively narrow openingbetween the wall of the raised portion and the contact box, a 2 lockinglever within the raised portion and engageable in a slot to lock theslide in position, a U-shaped bend in the locking lever receiving thewall of the raised portion of the slide at the opening to pivot thelever T13 thereupon, and a spring between the inner wall of the raisedportion and the locking lever.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

3 FRANK G. STIMSON.

